Cotton picker spindle sharpener



March 31, 1964 3, WEST 3,126,676

COTTON PICKER SPINDLE SHARPENER Filed June 24, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 f INVENTOR. I Arfhur 6. W881 Afforng a March 31, 1964 A. c. WEST 3,126,676

COTTON PICKER SPINDLE SHARPENER Filed June 24, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

Arf/wr 6. Wesf Affomggs' United States Patent Filed June 24, 1963, Ser. No. 290,047 9 filaims. (Cl. 1 -92) This invention relates to a cotton picker spindle sharpener of the general type disclosed in my co-pending application Serial No. 214,899 filed August 6, 1962; and entitled Cotton Picker Spindle Sharpener, 'now Patent No. 3,101,574, dated August 27, 1963.

An object of my invention is to provide a cotton picker spindle sharpener of the character designated which shall embody a divided head for supporting opposite ends of the spindle to be sharpened, together with improved means for accurately aligning the barbs of the spindle relative to a cutting tool.

Another object of my invention is to provide a cotton picker spindle sharpener of the character designated which shall include improved means for holding the spindle at selected angular positions whereby all of the longitudinally extending barb portions on the spindle may be sharpened without removing the spindle from the apparatus, thereby reducing the time required to sharpen the spindle.

Another object of my invention is to provide a cotton picker spindle sharpener of the character designated which shall include means to adjust the angular settings of the spindle whereby the proper angle of undercut is obtained without having to adjust the position of the spindle after each longitudinally extending barb portion is sharpened.

A further object of my invention is to provide a cotton picker spindle sharpener which shall be adapted for use in sharpening both right-hand and left-hand spindles.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a cotton picker spindle sharpener of the character designated which shall be simple and economical of manufacture and one which is adapted to grind all barbs with one setting of the apparatus other than the angular rotation of the spindle to position selected longitudinally extending barb portions adjacent the cutting tool.

My present apparatus is an improvement over the apparatus disclosed in my co-pending application mentioned hereinabove in that it is not necessary to rotate the spindle within the apparatus and then set the spindle for each longitudinally extending barb portion. That is, the spindle is positioned within the apparatus and accurately aligned therein with one setting. Thereafter, the various angularly positioned barb portions are sharpened by merely rotating the spindle to selected angular positions. To provide the proper angle of undercut, Iprovide means for accurately determining the selected angular positions of the spindle.

Apparatus embodying features of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the apparatus, partly broken away, showing a spindle in place;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, sideelevational view, partly broken away and in section, showing a cotton picker spindle in place between the sections of the divided head, together with the supporting frame for the divided head, the remainder of the apparatus being omitted for the sake of clarity;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an end elevational view taken generally along the line4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. Sis a vertical sectional view taken generally along the line 5-5 of FIG. 2;

3,126,676 Patented Mar. 31., 1964 ice FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken generally along the line 66 of FIG. 3; v i

FIG. 7 is a fragmental view taken generally along the line 77 of FIG. 2; and,

FIG. 8 is an enlarged, elevational view taken generally along the line 8-8 of FIG. 3 showingthe portion of the rotatable support member which engages the driving gear of the spindle, the spindle being omitted for the salre of clarity.

Referring now to the drawings for a better understanding of my invention, I show a supporting frame 10. Mounted adjacent one end of the supporting frame 10 is an upstanding support 11 which carries a handle 12 at the upper end thereof, as shown in FIG. 1.

Supported adjacent opposite sides of the supporting frame 10 by upstanding supports 13 are elongated guide rods 14 which extend'in parallel, spaced relation to each other. Mounted for sliding movement on the guide rods 14 is a movable frame 16 which is provided with depending bearing blocks 17 at opposite sides thereof in position to receive the guide rods 14 with a sliding fit whereby the movable frame 16 is adapted for longitudinal movement along the guide rods 14.

Secured to and extending transversely of the movable frame 16 are spaced, parallel guide rods 18 which support a transverse movable frame 19. Depending bearing members 21 are carried by the movable frame 19 in position to receive the guide rods 18 with a sliding fit whereby the movable frame 19 is adapted for movement in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the guide rods 14. The frame 19 is moved transversely of the frame 16 by a threaded shaft 22 which extends through a suitable threaded opening 23 provided in a depending member 24 carried by the frame 19. The shaft 22 is rotated by a suitable hand wheel 26 to thereby move the frame 19 transversely of the frame 16.

Mounted on the upstanding support 11 is a movable frarne 27 which is adapted for vertical adjustment relative to the support 11 by suitable means, such as an adjusting screw 28 having a hand wheel 29.

Mounted for rotation in suitable bearings in the ver tically movable frame 27 is a shaft 31 which carries a sharpening tool 32. The shaft 31is driven by a motor 33 through a V-belt 34 and pulleys 36 and 37, the pulley 36 being mounted on the shaft'31 and the pulley 37 being mounted on the motor shaft indicated at 38. As shown in FIG. 1, the motor 33 is supported by a movable plate 39 which is pivotally supported as at 41 to the upstanding support 11 whereby the proper pressure is exerted on the belt 34 for driving the sharpening tool 32. Preferably, a guard member 42 is mounted over the rotary sharpening tool 32. i

To move the movable frame 15, together with the movable frame 19 carried thereby, I provide an operating lever 43 which is pivotally mounted to a support bracket 44 by a pivot pin 45. The operating lever 43 is operatively connected to the movable frame 16 by an actuating rod 47. Accordingly, upon moving the operating lever 43, the movable frames 16 and 19 move longitudinally along the guide rods 14 beneath the spindle sharpening tool 32.

The apparatus described hereinabove is similar to the apparatus disclosed in my aforementioned co-pending application. My improved means for supporting he spindle to be sharpened, indicated generally at 50 On the movable frame 19 will now be described. As is well known in the art to which my invention relates, the cotton picker spindle 48 is provided with a driving gear 49 adjacent one end thereof while the other end thereof is tapered as at 51 and is provided with angularly spaced, longitudinally extending barb portions 52.

Mounted adjacent one end of the movable frame 19 by suitable cap screws 53 is an upstanding bracket 54- which in turn is rigidly secured to a bearing member 56. Mounted for rotation within the bearing member 56 is a rotatable support member 57 having a a beveled ring gear 58 adjacent one end thereof, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 8. The beveled ring gear 58 is of a size to mesh with the driving beveled gear 49 of the spindle 48, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Accordingly, the spindle 48 is locked in driving relation with the rotatable support member 57 while the spindle is in the position shown in FIGS. 1-3.

Surrounding the rotatable support member 57 adjacent the bearing member 56 is a disk-like member 59 having a plurality of angularly spaced openings or recesses 61 therein. Secured to and mounted for rotation with the rotatable support 57 adjacent the disk-like member 59 is a transverse member 62 which carries an outwardly extending bracket 63. A suitable opening is provided through the bracket 63 and the adjacent portion of the transverse member 62 for receiving a locking pin 64. A spring abutment 66 is carried by the locking pin 64, as shown in FIG. 2, in position to engage a compression spring 67 which surrounds the locking pin intermediate the bracket 63 and the spring abutment 66. Accordingly, the locking pin 64 is urged inwardly whereby it is adapted to move into locking engagement with selected ones of the angularly spaced openings or recesses 61 provided in the disk-like member 59. A suitable operating handle 68 is carried by the locking pin 64 whereby it may be readily removed from an opening 61 so that the rotatable support 57 can be rotated to position selected ones of the barb portions 52 beneath the cutting tool 32.

To make final adjustments of the locations of the angularly spaced openings 61, I provide means for locking the disk-like member 59 at selected positions relative to the bearing member 56. An outwardly extending bracket 69 is carried by the bearing member 56 adjacent the disk-like member 59, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5. An arcuate slot 71 is provided in the bracket 69 in position to receive a threaded member 72 which is carried by the disk-like member 59. Accordingly, the angle of undercut imparted to the spindle by the cutting tool 32 may be readily adjusted by merely releasing the nut 73 and then moving the disk-like member 59 relative to the bracket 69 and the bearing member 56. The nut 73 is then locked in place whereby the angularly spaced openings 61 are placed in proper position to receive a locking pin 64 to thus position the longitudinally extending barb portions 52 in proper relationship to the cutting tool 32.

Mounted on the movable frame 19 adjacent the end thereof opposite the upstanding bracket 54 is an upstanding bracket or tailstock 74 which is held in selected transverse positions relative to the movable frame 19 by locking bolts 76. Suitable elongated openings 77 are provided through the frame member 19, as shown in FIG. 7 for receiving the locking bolts 76. The locking bolts 76 are secured in place by nuts 78 and suitable wing members 79 are provided on the locking bolts 76 whereby they may be readily released or tightened.

Mounted on the upstanding bracket 74 is a sleeve-like member 81 which is adapted to receive one end of a rodlike member 82. A recess 33 is provided in the exposed end of the rod-like member 82 in position to receive the tapered end of the spindle 43, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Axial movement of the rod-like member 02 relative to the sleeve-like member 31 is limited by a set screw 84 which is in threaded engagement with the sleeve-like member 81 and projects inwardly thereof. An elongated recess 86 is provided in the rod-like member in position to receive the inner end of the set screw 84 to thus permit a limited amount of axial movement of the member 82.

The end of the sleeve-like member 81 opposite the member 82 is provided with internal threads for receiving an elongated threaded member 87 having an operating knob A compression spring 39 is interposed between the rod-like member 82 and the inner end of the threaded member 87 whereby the rod-like member 32 is urged toward the spindle 48. The spindle 48 is thus held firmly between the rotatable support member 57 and the member 82.

By providing means for adjusting the tailstock 74 transversely of the movable frame 19, both right and lefthand spindles may be sharpened. That is, the grind made by the cutting tool 32 is not parallel to the axial center line of the spindle but is at a slight angle thereto whereby a slight diagonal cut is made. The cut thus begins adjacent the tapered end of the spindle at the edge of the barb portion. When it is desired to change from a right to a left-hand spindle or vice versa, the angle of cut must be adjusted to the proper position relative to the axial center line of the spindle. in actual practice, I find that the maximum movement of the tailstocl: from one extremity to the other is only A; of an inch.

From the foregoing description, the operation of my improved spindle sharpener will be readily understood. To insert the spindle 48 between the supporting members 82 and 57, the tapered end of the spindle is inserted in the recess 83 and pressure is exerted against the compression spring 89 whereby the rod-like member 82 moves inwardly of the sleeve-like member 81 to thus permit movement of the driving gear 49 into driving relation with the bevel ring gear 58. That is, the longitudinally extending barb portion 52 to be sharpened is positioned whereby it is in proper relation to the lower edge of the cutting tool 32. With the spindle thus locked in position between the members 57 and 82, the locking pin 64- is in engagement with one of the openings 61 to thus prevent rotation of the rotatable support member 57 and the spindle 48. The operating lever 43 is then rotated in a clockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 1, whereby the spindle 48 moves beneath the cutting tool 32.

The position of the cutting tool 32 relative to the spindle 48 is adjusted by turning the hand wheel 29 in the proper direction whereby the cutting tool grinds the points of the spindle barb, as shown in FIG. 1. As the sharpening tool 32 moves into engagement with the spindle 43, the movement of the lever 43 is relatively slow. However, after the sharpening tool 32 has seated itself, movement of the operating lever 43 may be accelerated. The operating lever 43 is moved slowly at first due to the fact that rapid movement of the sharpening tool 32 before it has seated itself relative to the spindle may cause the sharpening tool to bend, thereby causing the cut to be off of the barb ends. Also, excessive bending of the sharpening tool 32 may break the tool.

After one longitudinally extending barb portion 52 has been sharpened, the locking pin 64 is pulled outwardly of the opening 61 in the disk-like member 59 and the entire rotatable support member 57 is rotated to position another longitudinally extending barb portion in proper relation to the cutting tool 32. The predetermined positions of the spindle relative to the cutting tool 32 are determined by the locations of the angularly spaced openings 61 in the disk-like member 59. As shown in FIG. 4, I show sufficient openings 61 in the disk-like member 59 to accommodate 2, 3 or 4 barb spindles.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that I have devised an improved cotton-picker spindle sharpener in which all barbs of the spindle may be sharpened prior to removal of the spindle from the apparatus. By providing a spindle holder which retains the barb portions of the spindle in predetermined set positions, my improved apparatus may be operated by unskilled labor and still obtain accurate sharpenings of the spindle. The operator mereiy inserts the spindle in the apparatus in proper position for a longitudinally extending barb portion 52 to be positioned in proper relation to the sharpening tool 32. The locking pin 64 thus holds the spindle against rotation as it is moved longitudinally beneath the sharpening tool 32. After one longitudinally extending barb portion 52 has been sharpened, the operator then merely releases the locking pin 64 and rotates the rotatable support member and the spindle to the proper opening 61 whereupon another longitudinally extending barb portion is in proper alignment with the sharpening tool. To accommodate both rightand left-hand spindles, it is only necessary to adjust the transverse position of the tailstock '74. After the spindle has been sharpened, it is easily removed from the apparatus by urging the spindle toward the spring biased member 82 whereupon the driving gear 49 moves outwardly of the bevel ring-gear 58. The proper angle of undercut may be obtained by releasing the lock nut 73 whereupon the disk-like member 59 may be adjusted relative to the stationary bearing member 56. Accordingly, the spindle is held firmly in a predetermined set position for the sharpening tool 32 to make the proper undercut with a higher degree of accuracy.

While I have shown my invention in but one form, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited but is susceptible of various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof, and I desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereupon as are specifically set forth in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a sharpener for a cotton picker spindle having a driving gear adjacent one end thereof with longitudinally extending barb portions adjacent the other end thereof,

(a) a rotatable support member adapted to receive said one end of the spindle and hold said spindle against rotation relative to said rotatable support member,

(1)) a second support member adapted to receive said other end of the spindle,

(c) releasable means to hold said rotatable support member at selected angular positions whereby the spindle is locked in selected positions,

(d) a common frame for supporting said rotatable support member and said second support member,

(e) a rotary sharpening tool disposed to make a longitudinally extending cut in a spindle to be sharpened while the spindle is held between said rotatable support member and said second support member,

(f) means holding said sharpening tool and said frame at selected positions relative to each other to place said sharpening tool in alignment with a spindle supported between said rotatable support member and said second support member, and

(g) means to impart relative movement between said frame and said sharpening tool to thereby make said longitudinally extending cut in a spindle to be sharpened.

2. In a sharpener for a cotton picker spindle as defined in claim 1 in which said rotatable support member is carried by a bearing member mounted on said frame, and locking means is interposed between said bearing memher and said rotatable support member to lock said rotatable support member at selected positions relative to said bearing member.

3. In a sharpener for a cotton picker spindle as defined in claim 1 in which said second support member comprises:

(a) a fixed section carried by said frame,

(In) a spindle engaging section mounted for movement relative to said fixed section and adapted to engage said other end of a spindle to be sharpened, and

(c) resilient means urging said spindle engaging section toward said rotatable support member.

4. In a sharpener for a cotton picker spindle as defined in claim 3 in which the fixed section is in the form of a sleeve-like member of a size to receive said spindle engaging member with a sliding fit, and means is provided to limit axial movement of the spindle engaging member relative to said sleeve-like member.

5. In a sharpener for a cotton picker spindle as defined in claim 1 in which the releasable means to hold the rotatable support member at selected angular positions comprises:

(a) a first locking element carried by said rotatable member,

(17) a second locking element mounted adjacent said first locking element,

(0) there being angularly spaced recesses in one of said locking elements, and

(cl) a detent carried by the other locking element in position to engage selected ones of said recesses whereby the rotatable support member is locked in selected angular positions.

6. In a sharpener for a cotton picker spindle as defined in claim 5 in which the detent is urged toward said recesses by a releasable spring member.

7. In a sharpener for a cotton picker spindle as defined in claim 5 in which said second locking element is mounted for angular adjustment whereby the angular position thereof relative to said frame is adjustable to provide the proper angle of undercut.

8. In a sharpener for a cotton picker spindle as defined in claim 1 in which said second support member is adjustable transversely of the axial center line of a spindle to be sharpened, and means is provided to hold said second support member in selected positions.

9. In a sharpener for a cotton picker spindle having a driving gear adjacent one end thereof with longitudinally extending barb portions adjacent the other end thereof,

(a) a rotatable support member adapted to receive said driving gear of the spindle and hold said spindle against rotation relative to said rotatable support member,

(b) a second support member adapted to receive said other end of the spindle,

(c) releasable means to hold said rotatable support member at selected angular positions whereby the spindle is locked in selected positions,

(d) a supporting frame,

((2) a first movable frame supporting said rotatable support member and said second support member and mounted for longitudinal and transverse movement relative to said supporting frame,

(7) a second movable frame mounted on said supporting frame for adjustment toward and away from said first movable frame,

(g) a rotary sharpening tool carried by said second movable frame and disposed to make a longitudinally extending out in a spindle to be sharpened while the spindle is held between said rotatable support member and said second support member,

(h) means to move said first frame transversely of said sharpening tool to place said tool in alignment with a spindle to be sharpened, and

(i) means to move said first frame longitudinally of said sharpening tool to make said longitudinally extending out in a spindle to be sharpened.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,850,799 Junge Mar. 22, 1932 2,527,882 Hellstrom Oct. 31, 1950 3,101,574 West Aug. 27, 196-3 

1. IN A SHARPENER FOR A COTTON PICKER SPINDLE HAVING A DRIVING GEAR ADJACENT ONE END THEREOF WITH LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING BARB PORTIONS ADJACENT THE OTHER END THEREOF, (A) A ROTATABLE SUPPORT MEMBER ADAPTED TO RECEIVE SAID ONE END OF THE SPINDLE AND HOLD SAID SPINDLE AGAINST ROTATION RELATIVE TO SAID ROTATABLE SUPPORT MEMBER, (B) A SECOND SUPPORT MEMBER ADAPTED TO RECEIVE SAID OTHER END OF THE SPINDLE, (C) RELEASABLE MEANS TO HOLD SAID ROTATABLE SUPPORT MEMBER AT SELECTED ANGULAR POSITIONS WHEREBY THE SPINDLE IS LOCKED IN SELECTED POSITIONS, (D) A COMMON FRAME FOR SUPPORTING SAID ROTATABLE SUPPORT MEMBER AND SAID SECOND SUPPORT MEMBER, (E) A ROTARY SHARPENING TOOL DISPOSED TO MAKE A LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING CUT IN A SPINDLE TO BE SHARPENED WHILE THE SPINDLE IS HELD BETWEEN SAID ROTATABLE SUPPORT MEMBER AND SAID SECOND SUPPORT MEMBER, (F) MEANS HOLDING SAID SHARPENING TOOL AND SAID FRAME AT SELECTED POSITIONS RELATIVE TO EACH OTHER TO PLACE SAID SHARPENING TOOL IN ALIGNMENT WITH A SPINDLE SUPPORTED BETWEEN SAID ROTATABLE SUPPORT MEMBER AND SAID SECOND SUPPORT MEMBER, AND (G) MEANS TO IMPART RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN SAID FRAME AND SAID SHARPENING TOOL TO THEREBY MAKE SAID LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING CUT IN A SPINDLE TO BE SHARPENED. 